Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 20 clash between the Wests Tigers and the Gold Coast Titans.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Wests Tigers Vs Gold Coast Titans
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2:00 pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Tigers: 1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi 14. Tristan Hope 15. Sione Fainu 16. Fonua Pole 17. Jack Bird 18. Brent Naden 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Luke Laulilii 22. Krystian Mapapalangi
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. David Fifita 17. Klese Haas 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 20. Arama Hau 21. Sean Mullany 22. Tom Weaver
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Bunker: Ashley Klein
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Sitting in 14th position, the Tigers are six points out of the top eight. With how tight the middle of the table is, it may not be outside the realm of possibility that they could make a run and secure a finals birth. However, better judgment and a look at their next seven games suggest it’s mission impossible. The key for the Tigers is to take each game week-by-week and not get bogged down in the mathematics of trying to secure a spot in the top eight. If they do that, who knows what might happen, but then again, the footy gods are not the kindest.
Former Penrith Panther Taylan May will debut for the Tigers in the centres. This moves Adam Doueihi to lock. Alex Twal has been named in the front row. Alex Seyfarth has been named in the back row to replace Samuela Fainu, who is out with a knee injury. Fonua Pole has been named on the bench.
It has been a season to forget for the Titans. Sitting in last place, all they can do now is play for pride and try and finish the season strongly. They put up a good showing against the Broncos last weekend, and they should strive to play that kind of football. While coach Des Hasler might have stayed around one season too long, it would be nice to send both him and Kieran Foran out as winners.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will start this week, moving Jaimin Joliffe to the bench. Hooker Sam Verrills has been cleared of concussion and will play.
It will be interesting to see how Doueihi goes at lock. He has proven more than capable of filling a ball-playing role. This move will add some potency to the Tigers’ attack, alongside Jerome Luai and Latu Fainu, especially going up against a more prop-like 13 in Fa’asuamaleaui.
Taylan May gets the chance to cement a first-grade spot at the Tigers with a good performance here. This will be a good test for May, as even though their team sits at the bottom of the ladder, Jojo Fifita and Brian Kelly are no slouches. They will not only ensure May is up to the task in defence, but he may also have a bit of trouble getting around either of them in attack as well.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Tigers by 8 points.
Check out our round 20 predictions here.
What’s your prediction? Drop it in the comments below.
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